Hello lovelies! It's your favourite pink-loving, tutu-obsessed blogger, Emma, back with another #TutuTuesday post! I'm writing this from a charming little café in Paris, with a freshly-baked croissant in hand and the scent of coffee in the air. The Eiffel Tower sparkles in the distance – talk about a magical backdrop for my weekly ballet history delve!
Today we're going to delve into the captivating world of the tutu – that iconic symbol of grace and elegance. It's not just a piece of clothing; it's a piece of history, an expression of artistry, and a testament to the human spirit.
Now, I know some of you are thinking, "Tutus? They're just frilly skirts!" But trust me, dear readers, the history of the tutu is a story brimming with fascinating details, bold transformations, and more than a dash of drama.
The Beginning: A Long Skirt in Disguise
Let's rewind the clock to the early 19th century. Back then, ballet was more about flowing movements than athletic leaps and turns. The ballerinas wore floor-length, billowing skirts that hindered rather than enhanced their graceful movements. Imagine trying to leap across the stage with yards and yards of fabric dragging around you – it's simply not practical!
The Shortening Skirt
Enter, the pioneer, Marie Taglioni, the legendary Italian ballerina who, in 1832, shocked the world with her revolutionary performance in La Sylphide. The showstopping detail? Her skirt was shortened, revealing delicate pointe shoes and legs for the first time. Talk about a breakthrough! The world of ballet was never the same. This "shortening of the skirt" is a real turning point for the history of ballet, paving the way for the modern tutu we know and adore today. This iconic "shortening of the skirt" moment for me represents a bold artistic step and the kind of creativity that makes dance history!
The Romantic Era's Inspiration
The early Romantic era saw the tutus we know as Romantic tutus, made of soft, light fabrics, and typically reaching just above the ankle. This era in ballet had so many new themes, the dancing was becoming even more complex, and new choreography techniques were emerging. The tutus really started to reflect the beauty and athleticism that these dances involved. It's an interesting mix of artistry and practicality, something we still see today in many contemporary styles.
The Emergence of the Tutu-We-Know
The tutu really hit its stride in the 1860s. During this time, ballet moved away from the airy and ethereal movements of the Romantic era. Instead, we began to see the emergence of more vigorous techniques, incorporating jumps, turns, and strength – think of what we see in ballet classes and performances now! That's where the tutu we know today, the Classical tutu, was born. This was thanks to the likes of the incredibly creative, influential dancer, Carlotta Grisi, a real name to look out for if you're into your ballet history! Imagine a skirt shaped like a cone, constructed out of layers of stiff tulle, giving it a real voluminous look. The short and tightly-fitted bodice allowed the ballerinas full range of motion. Now, this is a tutu for an athletic dance routine! These ballerinas were real gymnasts in long beautiful skirts!
Twentieth Century & Beyond
Fast forward to the 20th Century. It was time for the tutu to truly blossom. And this was also an era when people were trying to modernise ballet, and experiment more! New ways to work with movement, with dancers, and with the tutu were tried, and in many cases succeeded. I mean, who would have thought that you could be innovative with a skirt? It is all down to imagination. From *the sleek, pared-down forms of modern ballet tutus to the colourful, dynamic tutus of contemporary dance, *this was when a new tutu revolution began. It reflected a shift in both movement and artistic direction. I would call it a re-invention and reinvigoration!
And you know what else is incredible about the evolution of the tutu? The different ways the tutu was designed for specific characters! If we look at the popular Swan Lake ballet, there's the contrasting design between the "White Swan" costume, and the darker, black "Black Swan" costumes. It's truly an artistic expression of the character, adding that theatrical element. It's not just a tutu; it's a part of storytelling.
Tutu Tuesday & Paris Fashion
My travels have taken me to some incredible cities. But there's something about Paris – the architecture, the art, the fashion, that's just unparalleled. Today I've been enjoying all that Paris has to offer, even down to the delightful cafes. And yes, I’ve been doing a spot of shopping, what else would you expect?! It was only fitting to pay a visit to a lovely little vintage boutique in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, on my hunt for a new vintage tutu. Imagine a vintage tutu? The delicate detailing, the flowing lines – so romantic! What do you say to adding a new tutu to my collection? I already know my readers will be just as excited as I am. Don't worry - there will be a tutu unboxing in a blog post later this week!
But of course, the heart of Paris is its ballet scene. Later this week I'll be going to see the enchanting La Sylphide, and I'm eagerly anticipating the graceful flow of the ballerinas and their gorgeous tutus. A reminder that, through these creative creations and performances, this ballet company and its dancers are continuing to influence and shape what ballet will be tomorrow.
*My Tutu Love & Your Pink Tutu Mission! *
It wouldn't be #TutuTuesday without a call to action! As I've said, my lifelong dream is to encourage everyone to don a pink tutu – even for just a day! So, let's keep that dream alive. How are you embracing the tutus this week? Think bold and have some fun! You could even use this moment to bring some pink tutu joy to your wardrobe or make a donation to your favourite ballet company in your own community. If you can't find one in your colour then I know you can order one online. Don’t forget to send me photos, I want to see you all in your favourite tutus!
Until next time, remember to keep it sparkly, stay fabulously pink, and dance with joy!
Lots of love, Emma 💕
